BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS IN TREATMENT OF HEPATITIS C

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the beneficial effects of herbs when taken along with Interferon based treatment protocols in treatment of chronic Hepatitis C. Methods: A retrospective survey was conducted using pre formatted questionnaires. Patient population was chosen form a community based private practice setting. All patients who were treated with Interferon based protocols (IFN mono therapy, IFN plus Ribavirin and Peg-IFN plus Ribavirin) during the past five years were chosen. The information was gathered through personal interviews and phone calls. Hepatitis C RNA by PCR six months after completion of treatment was used as a criterion to determine sustained response to Interferon therapy. Effects of herbal supplements on subjective feeling of well being, ability to complete the therapeutic regimen as well as the patient's perception of beneficial effect of herbs were determined. Patient's perception of the severity of the side effects was determined on a scale of 1 to 10. Results: 59 out of 92 (64%) patients admitted using herbal supplements on a regular basis. Majority of people who admitted taking herbs (93%) had felt that herbal supplements had helped them. Of patients admitted to taking herbs 32% (19/59) had achieved sustained response on treatment with Interferon. However 45% (15/33) of people who had not taken any herbs during their treatment with Interferon had achieved sustained response. 91% (54/59) of the patients admitted to taking herbal supplements were able and complete the prescribed regimen of interferon successfully. Only 78% (26/33) of the people who had not taken the supplements were able and complete the prescribed regimen successfully. Severity of the side effect profile was 7.3 for patients who had taken the supplements and 6.7 for the patients who had not taken the supplements concomitantly. Conclusions: Addition of herbal supplements had not improved the sustained response rate among the patients who were administered various IFN based treatment protocols. However administration of herbal supplements had improved the patient's perception of well being and their ability to stick to their prescribed regimen. While the subjective assessment of the severity of the side effect was same in both groups, concomitant administration of herbal supplements decreased the drop out rate from the therapeutic regimen.